Adapter for sprag clutch

Abstract

an adapter assembly for converting a sprag clutch assembly in a recent but discontinued transmission into a sprag clutch assembly found in older transmissions thereby reengineering and upgrading the discontinued transmission for use with an older system.

1 . An adapter for converting the intermediate drum of a transmission, the drum including an annular end face and a cylindrical sleeve provided with an array of gear teeth arranged around the exterior surface thereof, the adapter comprising 
 a thin flat planar annular washer configured for fitment about the sleeve, the washer having a lower surface adapted to be abutted against the annular end face of said drum and an upper surface,    a hat shaped adapter member, including a cylindrical adapter sleeve having an inner wall adapted for sliding fitment over and about the drum sleeve and an annular end wall adapted for compressing engagement against the upper surface of the washer, the inner wall provided with at least one tooth dimensioned for interlocking engagement with an adjacent pair of gear teeth, and    means for interlocking the washer relative to the adapter member.    
   
   
       2 . The adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for interlocking comprises a complementary plurality of radially outwardly and inwardly directed tabs and tab receivers, respectively, operating between the washer and the annular end wall of the adapter sleeve, the tabs fitting within the tab receivers to interlock the washer and adapter with one another and inhibit relative rotation therebetween.  
   
   
       3 . The adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein a like number of complementary gear teeth are arranged around and project radially inwardly from the inner wall of the adapter sleeve for meshed interengagement with respective of the gear teeth of said transmission drum.  
   
   
       4 . The adapter according to  claim 1 , further comprising an arrangement for passing lubricating oil inwardly to the drum when the adapter is fitted about the drum, the arrangement including at least one passage extending radially through the cylindrical wall of the adapter sleeve and at least one groove on the upper surface of said washer, the groove extending radially between the inner and outer circumferences of the washer.  
   
   
       5 . A kit for converting a transmission of the type including a sprag clutch mountable about a drum having gear teeth around the exterior thereof, the kit comprising 
 a thin flat annular washer, the washer being fittable about the drum and against an annular end face thereof and having a plurality of tabs extending radially outwardly from the outer circumference thereof,    a stepped cylindrical hat shaped adapter, the adapter comprising a cylindrical adapter sleeve dimensioned to fit about the drum and provided with internal gear teeth sized to mesh with the drum teeth, and an annular end wall at one end of the adapter sleeve, the annular end wall having forward and rearward surfaces with the forward surface being adapted to compress against the washer and provided with a plurality of sockets extending radially inwardly from the outer circumference of the washer to interlock within a respective of the sockets, and    a sprag clutch, the clutch being toroidal in shape and including inner and outer surfaces disposed concentrically, forward and rearward end faces, and a plurality of sprags disposed 360° therearound, the sprags being disposed radially and having respective end portions extending, at least in part, into the interior of the torus and adapted to engage the outer surface of the adapter sleeve.